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“Let me see.” She handed Beth the phone. “This is you walking with Benson. Where is that? I don’t recognize the place.”
“That is in front of a coffee shop in Midvale. No one could have known I’d be there. They would have had to follow us from the prison.”
“Well, someone knew. And here you are walking out of Trent’s house carrying a box. Oh my God. Was this taken just now?”
“Yes. I’m wearing the same clothes. That’s why I’m freaking out.”
“This is bad. This last one is of you entering your house just now.”
“I know. I was so focused on carrying the boxes that I didn’t look around. Did you see anyone leaving or loitering when you drove in?” she asked Beth.
“No.”
Dread filled her. “Who would do this?”
Beth stared at her. “You don’t want my opinion.”
“Yes, I do.”
“Think about it. Why would someone take these pictures and email them to you?”
Her thoughts jumbled. Ariel was too upset to even think clearly. “I don’t know.”
“I’m thinking the real killer wants to make you scared so you’ll stop asking questions.”
That was ridiculous. “I haven’t spoken to many people.”
“We need to be systematic about this. Get some paper. We’ll write down the names of the people you have spoken to about the case.”
Ariel liked having a direction. She rushed to her desk and grabbed a pad of paper. She then motioned they return to the kitchen table while Beth refilled their glasses. Ariel drank half of it in a few gulps. The smooth, cool wine, helped calm her once more.
It was so helpful to have someone else in her house, especially someone who was not freaking out like she was. Ariel started with Sherry Clark. She was the first person Ariel had asked about the murder. Next, she’d visited Preston, but she immediately scratched out his name.
Beth scooted her chair next to Ariel for a better view. “Why did you cross out Preston’s name?”
“Benson said his roommate was at work when he went to the prison.”
“Do you believe him?”
Ariel wasn’t sure of anything right now. “Okay, okay. I’ll put his name back down, but in my heart, I know he is innocent.”
“Good. Remember you thought that.”
Ariel pushed aside Preston’s name and tried to come up with more possible suspects but then tossed down the pen. “This is impossible. I spoke with Sherry at the diner, but that night you and I were at the Double G Bar.”
Beth grabbed another slice of pizza. “Are you saying someone could have overheard us talking?”
“Yes, and don’t forget we sat with Preston and Benson at the steakhouse. It wouldn’t be a stretch to know what we were talking about.”
“Shit.” Beth took a bite of the pizza. “I think you need to contact Benson and Preston.”
“Why?”
Beth sighed. “Where did my really smart friend go?”
Maybe the fear had messed with her mind. “I wish I knew.”
CHAPTEREIGHT
